Auxiliary propulsion mechanism



Sept. 26, 1950 c. E. BAKER 2,523,674

AUXILIARY PROPULSION MECHANISM Filed July 14, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Charles E. Baker ZY/mm r C. E. BAKER AUXILIARY PROPULSION MECHANISM Sept. 26, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 14, 1947 w m w b r e k a B E s m 6 J7 w M r \H ldh nu 0 :5 I 8 U om vw v .hun 1. mm on g w em on w 4? I n t Im/entof 4 Sheets-Sheet S C- E. BAKER AUXILIARY PROPULSION MECHANISM Sept. 26 1950 Filed July 14, 1947 Sept. 26,1950 as. BAKER AUXILIARY PROPULSION MECHANISM v 4 Sheets-Shae; 4

Filed July 14, 1947 k2 /w my 2 @W QM .h ".8 m v. 2 F

Patented Sept. 26, 1950 STATES PATENT OFFICE AUXILIARYPROPULSION MECHANISM I Charles E. Baker, Beloit, Wis.

Application July 14, 1947, Serial No. 760,778

This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in an auxiliary propulsion mechanism and more specifically pertains to a rowing mechanism for driving a propeller for a boat.

The primary purpose of this invention is to provide a mechanism whereby a boat propeller may be operated by a reciprocating mechanism by the occupants of a boat.

It is an important object of the invention to provide a mechanism in accordance with the foregoing purpose which may be readily installed or removed from various types of boats, may be readily adjusted to different sizes and shapes of boats and to different types of propellers; which may be adjusted to accommodate operation thereof by a plurality of occupants of a boat in unison; and which shall be of simplified, elficient and durable construction.

A still further object of the invention is to preceding objects wherein the operation of the propeller by the manual rowing means shall not interfere with the use of the propeller as a tiller for the boat; and wherein the drive gearing between the reciprocating mechanism and the propeller shaft may be readily adjusted to suit vari- 'ous operating conditions and various types of installations in a boat.

These, together with various ancillary objects which will later become apparent as the following il description proceeds, are attained by this device, the preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, wherein: a

8 Claims. (Cl. 115---24) provide a mechanism in accordance with the 20 Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective viewir showing the auxiliary propulsion mechanism;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detailed view taken in elevation, parts being broken away and shown in section, of a portion of the propeller shaft and propeller shaft driving mechanism associated:, 0

therewith;

Figure 3 is a top plan View, parts being broken away showing the installation of the device in the hull ofa boat; a

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view through a portion of a boat showingthe mechanism installed therein; U

- Figure 5- is avertical transverse sectional view,

8-8 respectively of Figure 5; ,Figure 9 is ,a perspective view showing a sup- 55 porting means for the reciprocating mechanism forming a part of the invention, a portion of the associated hold structure of a boat being indicated in phantom lines therein;

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing one of the guide means for the reciprocating mechanism associated with the supporting means; and,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view showing the connecting pin of a reciprocating bar and its associated connecting rod/ Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout-the various views, attention is directed first to Figures 3 and 4 wherein the numeral Ill designates a portion of a hull of a boat, having a back portion l2 and sides I4 associated therewith, which boat may be of any suitable type such as a row boat, motor boat or the like and to which the auxiliary propulsion mechanism forming the subject matter of this invention has been applied.

As shown best in Figure 1, the propulsion mechanism consists of a propeller assembly [6 of the outboard type, although the same may be any conventional or known construction of'propeller, driving shaft and housing therefore. Operatively associated with the propeller assembly I6 is a gearing assembly l8 for rotating the propeller driving shaft, while a reciprocating mechanism indicated generally at 20 provides power for operating the gearing.

As will be best seen by reference to Figure 4, an outboard propeller supporting bracket 22 is suitably secured to the back portion 12 of the boat and is provided with a rearwardly extending arm 24 slotted as at 2B and pivoted as at 28 to the supporting bracket 22. In accordance with conventional design, a propeller assembly supporting bracket '30 is provided with a plurality of apertures 32 which may be selectively and adjustably connected with the-slot 26 by a fastening means 34, to properly position the propeller shaft housing 36 upon the supporting bracket.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, a vertical propeller shaft 38 is received within the housing 36 and is connected at its lower extremities with a propeller 40. l

A housing supporting the propeller 40 is provided with a sleeve 42 which is pivoted upon the end of the housing 36, and has rigidly attached thereto an operating lever or arm 44 from which rises the vertical operating rod 46 to which is rigidly attached adjacent its upper end a supporting arm 48 journaled upon a pimple 50 rising from the upper portion of the housing 36.

As shown best in Figure 2, the upper portion of housing 36 is provided with a lateral tubular extension 52 within which is journaled the extremity of a driving shaft 54 which has a splined engagement with a sleeve 56 suitably journaled in the housing extension 52. This sleeve has a bevel gear connection with the propeller shaft 38, for operating the same.

As will be seen by reference to Figures 1 and 3, the upper extremity of the rod 46 is provided with a transverse operating handle 58 whose extremities are connected as by cables 60 and'62 with a steering wheel 64, whereby rotation of the latter will oscillate the lower housing 42 supporting the propeller 40 about the axis of the casing 36, in order to assist in steering the boat. Although one suitable form of propeller mechanism has been illustrated in order to understand the principles of the invention, it will be readily understood that the novel propulsion mechanism forming the subject matter of this invention is not limited thereto but may be applied to various types of propellers of either the outboard or the fixed shaft type.

Attention is now directed chiefly to Figures 1 and-4, fora clearer understanding of the gearing mechanism for driving the propeller shaft. Suitably anchored to the bottom I of the boat is the frame work of a gearing assembly consisting of a pair of angle iron base members 66 to which aresecured standards 68in which is journaled a transversely extending crank shaft I0. throw I2 and'a ring gear '14 which may constitute a fly wheel for thedevice are secured to the crank A crank tremities of the crank shaft 10, are a pair of slip porting-arms I6 having longitudinal slots 18 by means of which extensible members 80 may be ad justably supported thereby.

The members'80 at their outer ends are provided with an'integral transversely extending bar or plate 82 which is engageable with a similar plate-84 carried by the tubular extension 52, and

may .be -releasably attached thereto as by fasteningmeans 86.

.A'pinion '88 is journaled between the arms 80 and is in-constant mesh with the ring gear 14 throughout all of the pivotal movements and po- 'sitions of the supporting arms "I6; this pinion gear being 'provided'upon its side'with a ring gear 90 in constant mesh with a bevel gear 92 carried by .the shaft 64, as shown in Figures 2 and l.

Ayoke member 94 is secured to the supporting arms 16 as at 96 andextends over the pinion gear 88 to form a shield therefor as well as constitute abrace extending transversely of the supporting arms I6. The extremities of the yoke 94 extend below the arms 16 and are pivoted as at 98 to one terminal of a pair of connecting links I00 whose other extremities are connected as at I02 for adjustable sliding engagement with slots I04 carried by the standards 68 of the frame member.

As will be readily understood, by properly adjusting the connecting links I00 in the slots I04. the supporting arms I6 and their extensions 80 together with the above described gearing may be pivoted about the axis of the crankshaft 10 in order to properly adjust the gearing with respect to the propeller unit.

As indicated at I06 in Figure 4 and Figure 3, an open ended housing is provided for enclosing the gearing and associated mechanism, this housing conveniently serving to mount the above mentioned steering wheel 64.

As will be seen by reference to Figure 4, the sides of the casing or housing I06 are provided with longitudinally disposed adjusting slots I08 for adjustably receiving the extremities of a transversely disposed rod IIO slidable therein; this'rod'being'clearly shown in Figure l. A brace H2 is pivoted at one extremity upon the rod IIO intermediate its ends, while'the other extremity of the bracerod is pivoted as at I I4 to a boss rising from the above mentioned bar 82, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4. It will thus be seen that the brace II2 assists supporting and positioning the supporting arms 16- and in predetermined angularposition upon the crank shaft I0, and also in bracing and supporting the propeller housing assembly.

Suitably journaled between the standards 68, is a rocker shaft whose construction is shown best in Figure 5. This shaft consists of a tubular rod H8 to which is secured as by a set screw I20 a rocker arm: I 22 .for oscillating or rocking the shaft. 'Slidably received in the open end of the rod I I8,

are'a pair of shaftsI2'4 provided with longitudinal'channels or grooves I26 which are longitudinally adjustable and non-rotatably received in the :tubularrod as by means of set screws I28. 'By this means, the rocker shaft may be axially extended'for convenient mounting and arrangement within the'hull of a boat.

Operating cranks I30 are longitudinally adjustably secured'to the extremities of the extensions I24 as by means of fastening screws I32 engageable in the grooves I2 6, to provide means for oscillating thev rocker shaft. The construction "and engagement of the tubular shaft, its axial extensions and the rocker arms is clearly brought out in the detailed views of Figures 6, 7 and 8.

As clearly shown in Figure 1, and 'Figure 4, a connecting rod I34 is journaled upon the crank throw I2 and also is pivoted to'the rocker arm I22, whereby as the rocker shaft is oscillated in response to swinging movement of the rocker arms I30, the crank shaft is rotated and through the associated gearing the propeller 40 is operated.

Attention is now directed chiefly to Figures 9 and 10 which illustrate an adjustable supporting means for the reciprocation mechanism operating the rocker arms I30. Suitably secured to the side I 4 of the boat'hull as by fastening means I36, is a fastening plate I38 by means of which an arm I40 of a bracket member I42 is clamped to the boat. This bracket member is generally U-shaped with the arm I40 forming a short leg thereof while the longer leg member I44 is formed as a vertically slotted, bifurcated member whose lower extremity rests upon or engages the side of the boat as shown in Figure 9. It is intended that a plurality of these bracket means shall be secured upon each side of the boat at convenient points alon the length thereof to constitute mounting means for the reciprocating mechanism.

As shown in Figure 10, a plate member I46 has secured thereto suitable sleeves I48 to constitute aligned guide members for a purpose to be later set forth, and is provided with depending supporting legs I50 which are vertically adjustable upon and are secured to the vertically slotted leg memi) bers I44 as by fastening means I52. Thus, the guide member I46 may be verticallyadiusted or removed from the supporting brackets, and any suitable number of guide means and supporting brackets may be employed as deemed to be necessary.

Slidably disposed in the aligned guides I48, are a pair of rod means I54, one being provided upon each side of the boat. Intermediate their extremities, the rod means E54 are provided with upwardly extending pimples I56 which are pivotally received in the bifurcated forks I58 carried by a transversely extending handle I 66. It is intended that the handle I60 may be gripped by a plurality of occupants of the boat whereby the rod means may be reciprocated in their guides to operate the gearing mechanism and drive the propeller in a manner to be subsequently set forth.

At their extremities adjacent the rocker arms I36, the rod means I54, as shown best in Figures 1, 4 and 11, are provided with laterally extending arms I62 suitably apertured as at I64. A connecting rod I66 is provided with a bifurcated apertured end as at I68 which may be selectively secured to the apertures I64 as by a fastening pin I10, While the other extremity of the connecting rod is pivotally connected as at Hz to the upper extremity of one of the rocker arms I38. Obviously, the plurality of vertically spaced apertures I 64 provide means for selectively connecting the rod I54 With the rocker arms I30, and permits considerable disalignment of the reciprocating mechanism and the gearing during the operation of the same.

At theirother extremities, the rod means I54 are provided with reduced axial extensions I14 which are suitably apertured as at I16. This construction permits the assembling of a plurality of additional tubular extensions for the rod means I54, whereby the reciprocating mechanism may be extended throughout any desired length of the boat and provided with a plurality of the transverse handles I66 for operation of the mechanism by various occupants of a boat.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that the manner of operating and utilizing the invention will be readily understood as well as the advantages arising therefrom; and accordingly further explanation is believed to be unnecessary.

However, it will be obvious that numerous changes may be employed in realizing the advantages of the invention, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents are to be regarded as falling within the scope of the invention except as limited by the following claims.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A propulsion mechanism for boats including a propeller and propeller shaft, means for supporting said propeller shaft from a boat, gearing for driving said propeller shaft, reciprocating means operatively connected with said gearing. mounting and guiding means supporting said reciprocating means from the sides of a boat for invention, what is means includes a handle transverse and movable longitudinally of a boat.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said rod means includes longitudinally extensible sections.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein, said connecting means includes a laterally extending member on one end of said rod means, a connecting rod connected to said gearing andadjustably pivoted to said member.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bracket means includes vertically slotted supports, said guide means being secured to and adjustable in said slotted supports.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said guide means includes a horizontally extending member, depending supporting legs carried by said member, guide bushings supported by said member and fastening means engaging the slots of said supports for adjusting said member thereon.

7. A propulsion mechanism for boats including a propeller and propeller shaft, means for supporting said propeller shaft from a boat, gearing for driving said propeller shaft, reciprocating means operatively connected with said gearing, mounting and guiding means for supporting said reciprocating means from the sides of a boat for rectilinear reciprocation, said gearing including a frame, a crankshaft journaled in said frame, said reciprocating means being connected to said crankshaft and a gear train connecting said crankshaft with said propeller shaft, supporting arms pivoted to said frame, said gear train comprising a ring gear on said crankshaft, a pinion gear meshing with said ring gear and journaled on said supporting arms, means connecting said pinion gear with said propeller shaft and adjusting means securing said support arms in pivotally adjusted position upon said frame.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said adjusting means includes a yoke secured to said supporting arms, slots in said frame and links pivoted to said yoke and slidably engaging said slot.

CHARLES E. BAKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

- UNITED STATES PATENTS Heise July 1, 1941 

